Camp and Miscellaneous

It's been awhile. Warning: this will be an especially rambling post.

Summer is officially here (although it's in the 60's and overcast today) and we are always on the lookout for fun outdoor things to do. Last week while ESK was in a summer camp every morning, I was able to go out on a short hike with AMK. It was so nice to get out on my own. At least it felt like I was on my own since AMK fell asleep 10 minutes into the trail.

Halfway through my hike, I walked past a young runner who was being comforted by a group of women. Turns out she had gotten lost in the park and couldn't find her way out. It was a weird scene since the younger woman was in great shape and in full athletic gear and seemed likely to be outdoor-saavy (or at least dressed the part). Yet it was the small group of grannies in their sunhats and leashed dogs that calmed her down and flagged down a car to give her a ride back into town. Yes, the trail ran alongside a road. And did I mention that the park is in the middle of the city? Kinda like Central Park. Anyway, I felt bad for the girl, but it was a weird moment.

Since we live in the Pacific NW, there are lots of opportunities to camp here. I know enough families that have gone camping with their young children to make me think we could do it as well. The hubs is open to the idea, but he'd like to wait until AMK can walk. Otherwise, we'd have her crawling around in the mud or carrying her in a pack the entire trip.

Speaking of crawling, AMK is on the verge of walking. I already have my hands full, so I'm not in any hurry to have her walk and have one more thing to chase down. But she is really at that very cute baby/toddler stage where she is making lots of cute babbling sounds and is very interested in manipulating objects around her. The poor thing also has a moderately bad case of eczema and likes to use things like the rug and her high chair to scratch her back. It's a cute little wiggle, boogie-down move. I suppose it would be even cuter if she wasn't in such agony! I feel so bad for her when she has the itchies.

ESK is starting to grow into her big sister role. She tries to comfort AMK when she is upset by giving hugs, kisses, and fetching AMK's toys and lovies. AMK is also old enough now to start to interact with her in basic ways. Mostly by giggling at ESK's antics. Yesterday morning, the two of them were in bed with us and were making each other laugh. AMK made ESK giggle by putting her little finger up ESK's nose. It was a great way to start off our day, even if it was 6-something-in-the-a.m.